The longer I am a pastor, the more I believe that most of us need a better image of God. Most people suffer from an image that is too small, or flat-out wrong. Sometimes it is harmful to ourselves and those around us.
I know that when I talk about a better image of God, some become suspicious. I'm in good company. Read the Gospels and watch how many ways Jesus tried to heal people's image of God. So did Moses and Paul. So did the prophets. Behind every faulty behavior is a faulty image of God. Giving a better image of God isn't watering down the Gospel, it is the Gospel.
That is why I am glad to recommend this book, Good Goats: Healing Our Image of God. I read it more than 15 years ago and I am still reeling. It's not because it said anything particularly new, (Jesus was trying to get this message to us, too) but because it said something so true so well.
It looks like a storybook, pictures and all. Beware: its power is in its simplicity. You might find yourself thinking about God- and yourself, differently. And that is a good thing.
We have a new class starting this Sunday (January 26), and it is about healing our image of God. It is described as an "invitation to heal distortions regarding the unconditional mercy of God," and it is taught by two people who know the subject well. They have traveled this path and done this work, and now they are creating a place that is safe for others to do the same. The book is available in Fellowship Hall and the class begins at 10:45 for the next four weeks (January 26- February 16.)
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